EAST COUNTY
Bowled over
Observer
PAGE 16A
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 20
Major hurdles face angry voters Factors such as deep pockets, district voting and lack of competition will be key in 2024 election. SEE PAGE 3A
YOUR TOWN
In the service of his country East County veteran recounts a horrific Vietnam battle that earned him two Purple Hearts. SEE PAGE 4A
Lesley Dwyer
Trick or Tesla
Lahin Khan (above) entertained his Lakewood Ranch neighbors on Halloween night with an impressive display, except he didn’t have to hang lights or blow up inflatables. His 2023 Tesla Model Y did the work for him. “This is Halloween” boomed from the stereo as the lights flashed and the trunk raised and lowered to the music. “I can play different ones, but I think that’s the best one,” Khan said. “I’ve got Ghostbusters and Knight Rider, too.” While Khan is an engineer, he said it’s simple to do. Download the program onto a flash drive, and there’s a spot inside the glove box to insert the drive. For an added touch, Khan taped cartoon faces onto the headrests.
Jay Heater
Bob and Michele Bowermaster live along the Braden River in East County. Bob Bowermaster earned two Purple Hearts for his service with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam in 1967.
The man behind The Concession’s emergence
Liz Ramos
Fashionably fundraising Del Webb’s Gretta Cruden (above) strutted through a room with all eyes on her and the Pickleball Sarasota outfit she was wearing. She twirled to show off every aspect of the outfit to the dozens of women from the Del Webb Pickleball Club who had gathered for a fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Nov. 2. The club hosted a pickleball tournament in the morning before a luncheon followed by the fashion show. The club raised more than $2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
A+E
Bruce Cassidy has put The Concession Golf Club on the elite level. SEE PAGE 12A
Jay Heater
Owner Bruce Cassidy has turned The Concession Golf Club into a major player on the world golf stage.
Impressions flow. INSIDE